More than 150 Bengaluru-bound passengers were left stranded for nearly 24 hours at King Fahad International Airport in Dammam after an Air India Express flight suffered repeated technical failures, sparking concerns over airline accountability and passenger safety.
The flight, IX484, originally scheduled to depart at 8.30 p.m. on April 25, 2025, experienced a cascade of issues that culminated in delays, confusion, and growing frustration among travellers. Passengers reported that after an overnight delay, they were informed by airline staff that the issue had been “temporarily resolved.” Boarding resumed at 1.30 p.m. (local time) on April 26, only for the aircraft to taxi toward the runway and abruptly return to the bay with no clear explanation. The uncertainty and lack of communication amplified distress among the travellers, many of whom turned to social media to document their ordeal in real time.
It was not until close to midnight that the flight finally departed for Bengaluru, more than 18 hours after its scheduled time. While no injuries were reported, passengers described the experience as mentally taxing and labelled the airline’s response as inadequate. “This is not just poor service—it’s sheer negligence,” said one traveller via a video post, criticising the absence of timely updates and basic amenities during the long delay. Adding to the voices of concern, a long-time Indian resident and legal expert in Saudi Arabia stated he was coordinating with relevant authorities to raise the matter at the highest level. “This is a pattern that cannot be ignored. We must enforce stronger regulations around passenger rights and ensure airlines are held to higher operational standards,” he said.
The comparison with Gulf carriers further highlighted the service gap. Several passengers noted that had a similar incident occurred on a regional Gulf airline, arrangements for meals, hotel accommodations, and alternative flights would have been immediate. The lack of structured crisis response on part of the Indian carrier raised fresh debates on the disparity in global aviation service standards. In its official statement, Air India Express acknowledged the delay and cited technical issues as the cause. The airline maintained that it had extended full support to passengers, including hotel stays, refreshments, and free rescheduling or refunds. It reiterated its commitment to safety as a top priority.
While the airline’s statement attempted to placate concerns, the incident adds to the mounting pressure on India’s civil aviation authorities to intervene decisively. Passenger advocates have called upon the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to investigate the matter thoroughly and initiate reforms that strengthen passenger protections. As India’s air traffic continues to surge and more citizens rely on affordable air connectivity, accountability, transparency, and preparedness must be embedded into the aviation ecosystem. Ensuring passenger dignity and operational reliability must be seen not just as corporate responsibility, but as a civic necessity in a modern, equitable, and globally competitive aviation sector.
